Samford University student and Dance for Downs organizer Lindy Williamson presents a check to the Adult Down Syndrome Clinic at UAB on April 22, 2013. (Photo courtesy of Lindy Williamson)

HOMEWOOD, Alabama -- After an extensive—but rewarding—collection process, Dance for Downs organizer Lindy Williamson was finally able to calculate this year’s final fundraising numbers and present a check to the Adult Down Syndrome Clinic at UAB. Earlier this month, Williamson presented a larger-than-life check in the amount of $5,559.46 to the facility.

The substantial donation amount—more than quadrupled over last year’s total—was made possible thanks to the more than 500 people who attended the Dance for Downs event on Thursday, March 28 at Samford University’s Bashinksy Field House.

It was a night to step out of one’s comfort zone—a night where differences are forgotten underneath the glow of a disco ball, said Williamson.

Like many dances, it was an opportunity for community members to interact with one another and get to know each other. But this time, however, attendees were encouraged to interact with people who don’t look or act like them: Kids and adults, members of the Exceptional Foundation, the UCP Center, the Horizon Center, and the Parents Advocate for Downs Syndrome, were all on hand, eagerly receptive to a spin around the dance floor with Samford students and community members.

The evening’s two primary goals, one, to raise money, support, and recognition for the Adult Down Syndrome Clinic at UAB; and two, to create an opportunity for the Birmingham community to comfortably interact with young men and women who have special needs, proved to be a success.

“If people have never been around those with special needs,” said Williamson in a previous interview, “they don’t understand what’s socially acceptable. They don’t know how to handle it.”

In her own experience, growing up alongside her 26-year-old brother who has Down Syndrome, Williamson said she has personally witnessed the countless questioning stares, the sudden change in behavior when people see her brother.

“Some people simply don’t know any better,” she said, “I know they don’t mean to be rude.”

For as long as she can remember, she said, it’s been her passion to break down barriers and build a strong sense of community around those with special needs.

After it become obvious that she wasn’t the only one with those feelings, Williamson went on to plan the first-ever Dance for Downs last year. She charged $1 at door for college students and $3 for everyone else. Last year’s goal, she said, was simply to get the word out, but still, she managed to draw a crowd of about 300. The night’s success allowed Williamson to donate a little more than $1,000 to the clinic.

This year, with more time, more planning and the sponsorship of Parent Advocates Down Syndrome and the Office of Student Leadership and Community Engagement at Samford, the college junior managed to plan an event that she described as “bigger and better,” than last year.